Gilbert Public Schools is offering choices to support a positive return to school for all of our students. The choices offered are based on what is best for our students academically, and for their health and wellness.  Also we considered feedback from our families,

To promote a healthy and supported beginning to our school year we are offering two pathways for our families:

• On Campus - Full Time In-Person Learning (Beginning with Hybrid model (09/08-09/18)
• GPS Global Academy - Full Time Online Learning 

Please note: If a student experiences a disruption to learning due to sickness there will be a flexible hybrid option in place to support their continued education.

Please note: At this time we are no longer able to offer Flex Elementary due to the low number of enrollees in this model which resulted in the staffing challenges.  Secondary students who select On Campus will still be able to take advantage of online classes and Flex Secondary.  This was in place prior to COVID-19 and we are extending this opportunity to both our JH and HS students.

Please view the options above and visit our enrollment page to get started.

The presentation is posted in the board meeting agenda.  Click here to view.

The Maricopa County Health benchmarks have been provided at the request of Arizona Department of Health and the Arizona Department of Education to inform school district decision making, along with state-wide data.

• Arizona Department Health benchmark dashboard
• Maricopa County Health benchmark dashboard

In June 2020, the GPS Task Force proposed and offered a choice of three options for returning to school. As circumstances changed over the following months, with the delay of in-person school and a range of directives from the state and local levels, these three learning models have been reviewed for effectiveness and feasibility.  It has been determined it is not possible for the district to continue to offer Flex Elementary due to staffing issues as a result of low enrollment in this learning model.  Please note, with the move to Hybrid and then full-time in person, as a direct response to the health benchmark data, it is anticipated that the options of in-person or Full-time Online will meet the needs of our families and students.  Secondary Flex/partial-day options will still be available for secondary students, as these were in existence at our high schools previous to COVID-19. We have added this option to our junior high schools this year and will continue to do so, offering our families 7-12 the same flexibility.

Please visit our website using the following links for information on the extensive measures already in place on our campuses:

• On Campus Preventative Measures
• Health Office Protocols and Procedures
• Health Video Playlist

At this time, face coverings will be required by all employees and students (1st grade - 12th grade) on all campuses and school buses, as per Maricopa County emergency order.  Should this change, we will notify our parents and families.

As a school district, we are following the County guidelines regarding the wearing of face coverings, order put into effect June 19, 2020.  If a student comes under the exemptions for wearing face coverings, under the County guidelines, please reach out directly to your campus.  At this time, as per the County guidelines, Preschool and Kindergarten students will not be required to wear face coverings.  

At this time, Hybrid will be offered September 8-18, contingent upon health benchmark data, and as part of a phased approach to reopening in full.

No, if you would like to stay with your existing choice for learning models you need take no action.  Families that are in any of the following groups will need to make a choice by August 24th at 5:00pm:

• If you are changing your choice of learning model 
• If you selected Flex Elementary you are already enrolled in-person, if you would like full-time online rather than in-person on campus you will need to select GPS Global Academy

Families will need to commit to their choice for at least the remainder of the fall semester in order for appropriate staffing at school sites and GPS Global Academy.

Further communication will follow with specific information for our special education students and their families.

By offering the two learning models we are able to be flexible and are prepared should there be a need to return to online for all students.  The health benchmark data is updated weekly and reviewed continuously by district leadership.  Should there be a change families will be notified.

Yes, it is new and improved and now called GPS Global Academy, and offered K-12.

A key enhancement is the instructional model which will include online synchronous class lessons taught by full-time teachers who will also be meeting with students in small groups and providing additional assistance via phone, WebEx, and email during the school day. 

Also, the teachers will be enriching the courses, assignments and assessments and everything will be assigned by our full-time GPS teachers. 

These enhancements will create a much more interactive and teacher-supported experience for our students learning online through GPS Global Academy.

Also, GPS Global Academy will now offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Honors courses for our students.

To learn more please visit www.gilbertschools.net/global

For a full list of secondary courses that will be available online via GPS Global Academy, and accessible to Flex students online please visit https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/2028 on our GPS Global Academy website.

Please note a range of AP and Honors classes will be offered online.  Information is being added to the page above and this website as it becomes available.

Our Building Blocks 3 and 4, Kindergarten-Prep, TOYBOX will be offered in-person on-campus. A range of preventative measures will be in place:

• Drop-off/pick-up provided with curbside procedures.
• Smaller class sizes are anticipated due to lower numbers
• Frequent breaks and washing of hands between rotations
• Within classes students stay in groups of five
• Regular hand washing and hand sanitizing stations available in every classroom
• Individually assigned manipulative and instructional materials, as possible

Amanecer Developmental Preschool will be in-person beginning August 17th.

Yes, transportation will continue to be provided for students attending in person at their boundaried school based on the district’s normal transportation procedures.

It is not possible to achieve social distancing on our buses, however, there will be extensive cleaning protocols in place including morning and nightly spraying down of our bus interiors, regular wiping down of the surfaces, and staff will wear masks. Students will be asked to wear masks while on the bus.

If a student gets on the bus without a mask, the driver will provide a disposable mask to the student.  In addition, we encourage parents to have their children sit together on the bus when possible.

Please visit www.gilbertschools.net/bus for more information.

Yes. We recommend that students wait until a quarter or semester break, but families may make arrangements with their destination school on an appropriate return date.

A number of changes to our classrooms and campus set-ups are being made to reduce the proximity of students as much as possible. It is important to note that working in groups will still take place and will be managed in such a way the learning and health and safety are supported as best as possible under the current circumstances. These include but are not limited to: 

• When possible, student desks and tables will be front-facing.  At the elementary level,  tables may have taped off student areas to help define the individual student areas.
• Cleaning protocols including deep cleaning and frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces
• Staggering bell schedules during the school day at the secondary level
• Hand sanitizer stations throughout the school
• Plexiglass in specific areas
• Sanitization “gun” for deep cleaning of schools
• Not sharing supplies, for example pencils, instruments
• Students welcome to bring their own wipes
• Opening up common areas during lunch to create extra space for students to spread out to eat, library, grass areas etc.  At the elementary level, spacing students apart and lunch periods staggered as needed.
• Face coverings will be required for both students (1st grade - 12th grade) and staff as per the Maricopa

You can view more details regarding Health Services procedures and protocols that have been put in place here.

Please click here to view details of campus mitigation strategies including enhanced cleaning protocols.

Parents are responsible to stay informed on the latest facts and new developments related to COVID-19.

• Stay informed about COVID-19 through reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS). This includes new information on symptoms, complications, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent transmission.
• Recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, fever, shortness of breath etc.) in your child.
• Seek medical advice by calling your health facility/provider and then take your child in, if advised.
• Remember that symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever can be similar to those of the flu or the common cold.
• Practice and reinforce good prevention habits with your family.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

We are following the recommendations of the Maricopa Department of Health regarding criteria for what constitutes exposure and what is recommended for isolation of positive and exposed students and staff. We will notify parents of any exposure their child has from a positive staff member or classmate. At the time of the notification there will be directives depending on the type of exposure.  Currently the directive from Maricopa Department of Health is not to send home an entire class due to one positive student or teacher as this is now a community-wide illness. We will continue to work closely with the Department of Health regarding these guidelines as well as reporting and positive cases at each campus.

Parents will be educated on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and will be required to keep their child home if they are exhibiting any signs. Parents will be expected to check their student(s) for symptoms daily.  All of our campuses are staffed with Nurses and/or Health Assistants who will assess students who become ill while at school. 

Additionally, we have modified our Health Office guidelines in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This will help us assist students who require first aid and medication, while also preventing them from being exposed to children who become ill while at school.

The Student Health Assessment in English and Spanish can be viewed here - www.gilbertschools.net/healthservices

Employees will be educated on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and will be required to stay home if they are exhibiting any signs. Employees will also be asked to complete a self-screening questionnaire, daily.  All of our campuses are staffed with Nurses and/or Health Assistants who will provide support should an employee have questions or need to be assessed while at work.

Prior to sending a student to school, parents will be required to temperature check their child as well as check for any COVID-19 related symptoms.  If a student exhibits symptoms at school, they will be temperature checked in the Health Office. 

Click here to view the student health assessment which should be completed daily.

Elementary

At the elementary school level, lunch will be staggered and the time between each lunch period lengthened to allow for fewer students in the lunchroom at a time.  Students coming from the classroom will be organized alphabetically and walked to the cafeteria.  Each student will be identified at the cash register where the nutrition services worker can identify the student’s account.  Otherwise, the student must know his student number so that staff can input the account information. Again, hand sanitizers and ongoing cleaning of tables and chairs will occur throughout the lunch periods.

Secondary

Tables will be spread out in the lunchroom with fewer chairs at each table. Students will be provided spaces outside, in libraries, and other areas throughout the building to eat their lunch spreading out students.  Again, hand sanitizers and ongoing cleaning of tables and chairs will occur throughout the lunch periods.

Important Reminders for Elementary and Secondary

1.  Student cards shall be discontinued for the start of school - students must be identified with the Point of Service machine or must know their account number to be entered in by nutrition services staff.
2. Salad bars will be eliminated at least initially at the start of school
3. Choice will be provided but each meal and side will be prepared in the morning and packaged to facilitate placing on student trays and to minimize clean up and spillage
4. Cafeteria tables will be marked decreasing table capacity by 30% to 50% to minimize proximity to other students.
5. Additional garbage cans will be provided for disposal of completed meal packaging and leftovers. 
6. After each lunch period, tables and seats will be wiped down for the next group of students.

As the numbers for breakfast are much less than for lunch, it is expected that breakfast will occur as normal as possible.  Seating will be provided, however, further apart and hand sanitizing stations will be readily available in the cafeterias and multipurpose rooms.  Students will be required to wear a mask while entering the cafeteria and will remove their masks once seated in order to eat, under the current Maricopa County Order as of 06/19/2020.

Our guiding principles for delivering support for our special education students and families during this time include: 

• Providing instruction based upon IEP goals
• Providing accommodations and/or modifications based upon student needs
• Communicating clearly and in a timely manner
• Implementing best teaching practices

On campuses, we will provide special education support through:

• Service delivery on campus per IEP 
• Accommodations/modifications provided per IEP
• Related service transportation provided
• IEPs and Evaluations conducted on campus

For our Secondary Flex option:

• 7-12 students attend some classes on campus, 5 days/week
• A portion of the schedule is provided in-person and the remainder online
• Services and specialized  instruction will be provided
• Accommodations and modifications are provided
• Campus staff will contact parents to discuss scheduling of courses.

For full-time online GPS Global Academy, special education support will be available for K-12th grade and:

• Instruction is provided per school calendar
• Accommodations and modifications will be provided
• Access to teacher(s) 5 days per week
• In-person small group service/instruction available as appropriate
• Staff will contact parents to discuss appropriate online learning supports and courses.

Yes, VIK will be provided at the 27 elementary locations with structured door side drop-off/pick-up.  There will be small/consistent group assignments and a wide range of preventative measures in place, including cleaning protocols.

Dual-Language Spanish Immersion is currently offered at Gilbert Elementary.  For the beginning of the 2020/21 school year, we will be offering Dual-Language Spanish Immersion through the on-campus in-person option.  All members of our Gilbert Elementary community will be receiving direct communication from our Gilbert Elementary Principal Justin Sremba and his team.

All three models will be offered for Traditional classrooms. The Flex model will be offered based on enrollment at each campus.

We are using a phased approach that reflects existing guidelines at a national, state, and local level.

We are using a phased approach that reflects existing guidelines at a national, state, and local level.  

For performing arts, marching bands, choirs etc there is guidance from national organizations on the best ways to utilize space to promote social distancing, or working together in smaller groups using sections.  Our district and campus teams are reviewing these guidelines and will share decisions as they are made with our students and families.

Storage facilities for instruments and set-up plans for practice are also being looked at to ensure that students are not congregating in large groups.

Within the curriculum maps and scope and sequence documents that teachers use, there are intentional notifications and resources to provide additional support as students learn the current grade-level standards that would build on 4th quarter concepts. In addition, there will be diagnostic screeners available for teachers to identify students who have gaps in foundational skills. Using whole group, small group, and/or intervention settings, teachers will support students with specific identified needs in reading either in person or through the virtual platform.

Students at GPS Global Academy can be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at their home school as long as they stay current with their coursework.

Yes!

The GPS gifted model provides gifted services to elementary students, grades 4-6 grades and will be available in all delivery model choices:

• Gifted math will be accelerated one year above the actual grade level.
• Gifted sixth graders will use the adopted ELA curriculum with learning extensions that include critical and higher-order thinking skills.

Gifted services as part of the Flex options will be based upon the need and availability of resources.

Gifted Information (pdf)

GTC students can take honors courses in all delivery models and will receive additional support from an assigned gifted teacher. With the flex model, they can take the courses that they prefer in person and then the other honors classes online. With the GPS Global Academy model, students will take the honors courses online.

Gifted Information (pdf)

Elementary gifted students will receive support from a gifted teacher and will also receive the same gifted services that currently exists as the GPS model: accelerated math (4-6 grade) and ELA (6th grade). With the flex or GPS Global Academy options, this gifted teacher support may not be the campus teacher.

Please visit gilbertschools.net/testing to keep up to date with testing plans.

Our Department of Assessment and Accountability will regularly update the website as information is provided.  Our goal is to keep our community up to date and to share information as soon as it is available.

All students will have the option to attend EVIT.  Visit https://www.evit.com/ for the most up to date information from EVIT.

Assemblies will be virtual until further notice to minimize large gatherings of students.